Harding’s left-right combo keeps USC punt returners at bay

LOS ANGELES » Scott Harding’s hands and feet were all over Hawaii’s season-opening football game Saturday against USC at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

One of the burning questions for UH was answered early in the 49-10 loss to the preseason No. 1 Trojans: TBA=Harding.

He got the call to handle the Warriors’ punting duties, which were previously listed as "To Be Announced" while starter Alex Dunnachie is unavailable, and had practiced position punting in camp.

Well, they say if you want something done, give it to a busy person. Harding does a little bit of everything even under normal circumstances.

The sophomore is a receiver, punt returner and holder on field goals and points after touchdown.

But in the early going Saturday, it seemed Harding might be limited to just his new job.

The Trojans offense was rolling, he didn’t start at receiver, and there was no need for him to hold since UH didn’t score a touchdown or try a field goal in the first half.

He finished the game with seven punts for a 37.1-yard average. And the former Australian rules football and rugby player kicks with either foot, depending on which side he rolls toward.

His line drives away from USC’s speedy return men were nearly all effective, and the Trojans only managed one runback for positive yards.

"He really made it difficult for us to get a return going," Trojans coach Lane Kiffin said. "There was no hang time. They obviously did a lot of work to do it both ways, right and left. It was difficult to deal with."

His long punt was 50 yards.

"It felt good to kick the ball again," Harding said.

Harding’s versatility eventually did start to come into play midway through the second quarter, as he ran USC’s first punt back 39 yards. And he caught two passes for 25 yards before the break.

After intermission, Harding caught his first touchdown pass, an 18-yarder from Sean Schroeder, to cap UH’s 12-play, 69-yard drive to start the second half. "Hopefully plenty more to come," he said.

Then he held for Tyler Hadden’s extra point, as well as for Hadden’s 36-yard field goal later in the third quarter.

It was a truly unique performance.

If anyone can remember a Hawaii player previously punting, returning a punt and scoring a receiving touchdown in the same season — much less the same game — it probably happened when the helmets were leather and the opponents included club teams.

"He’s a heckuva football player," coach Norm Chow said. "Very sure-handed and you saw what he can do with that rugby-style punting."